Stacking discounts is one of the best ways to save money and shop savvy. Most stores won't allow this, but there are some exceptions.
Kohl's for example sends out periodic discount coupons to cardholders. Typically these are for 10, 20, 25, or 30% off. Sometimes they include "Kohl's Cash" as an extra incentive ... such as receiving a $10 credit to spend in the store for every $50 spent.
What really starts slashing the prices is that these can be stacked with discounts, such as sales prices and even clearance prices.
I bought a pair of boots, originally marked $90. They had been marked down 90%, which made them only $9 -- a great bargain already. Paired with a 30% discount, that brought the price down to a mere $6.20. And ... if I can manage to spend exactly $50 on that trip (which I can usually work out with a discounted pair of socks or whatever is needed to bring my total up as needed) that gives me a store credit of 20% of the sales price, which is like another discount of about $1.25 to be applied to my next visit, making the total cost of the boots under $5!
By shopping the clearance section (and I found a wide range of sizes and styles, though often it was out of season clothing, except for underthings) I managed to spend just over $5 on $100 original cost. Imagine the wardrobe I was able to buy by spending just $100! I had boots, tennis shoes, jeans, lots of shirts, pajamas, underthings ... in all nearly $2,000 worth of clothing at original prices, all for just over $100 (including the discounts that would be applied to the next visit).
Even if you don't want to buy a season ahead (and many things were for the current season) you can still save a significant amount by stacking these discounts with regular sale prices, which are typically 15-50% off. That actually increases the value of your extra discounts, so the difference between sale vs. clearance is not as great, and sales items include the hot new styles of the current season.
If we find other stores that do this, we will share the details here, but for now, I know that Kohl's is a great place to stack your discounts and save a LOT of money, and THAT is savvy shopping!
Saturday, October 29
Thursday, October 27
Christmas ... already?
Savvy shopping for some of us means cutting down on how much we spend overall. In the case of Christmas gifts, waiting until "Tis the Season" can cost you more as you have less time to prepare.
Sit down now with a list of those you plan to shop for this holiday season. (By the way, KEEP this list, as just having a list and sticking to it will help save money as well, especially if you tend to forget that little thing you already got for someone!)
What kinds of gifts will each person appreciate? Maybe there are things you can spend less on that people might appreciate just as much, or more. Grandparents might especially appreciate a scrapbook of their grandchildren, or a stepping stone for their garden made with the child's handprints.
Do you have a special talent? Maybe you make cool-funky jewelry that your BFF would LOVE to receive? Or maybe you know how to knit, and your father would like a knitted scarf that perfectly matches his blue eyes, made by his own daughter's loving hands? Let your imagination run free now, while you still have the time to plan and prepare.
When it comes down to the last minute, you'll end up in the packed stores, cash in hand, looking for something to buy, and much more likely to overspend or be unsatisfied with the choices available. Preparation now can help you have gifts already lined up for at least some of your shopping list, and save you money in the long run.
Sit down now with a list of those you plan to shop for this holiday season. (By the way, KEEP this list, as just having a list and sticking to it will help save money as well, especially if you tend to forget that little thing you already got for someone!)
What kinds of gifts will each person appreciate? Maybe there are things you can spend less on that people might appreciate just as much, or more. Grandparents might especially appreciate a scrapbook of their grandchildren, or a stepping stone for their garden made with the child's handprints.
Do you have a special talent? Maybe you make cool-funky jewelry that your BFF would LOVE to receive? Or maybe you know how to knit, and your father would like a knitted scarf that perfectly matches his blue eyes, made by his own daughter's loving hands? Let your imagination run free now, while you still have the time to plan and prepare.
When it comes down to the last minute, you'll end up in the packed stores, cash in hand, looking for something to buy, and much more likely to overspend or be unsatisfied with the choices available. Preparation now can help you have gifts already lined up for at least some of your shopping list, and save you money in the long run.
Monday, October 24
Edmonton - Where Canada Shops!
Edmonton is THE place for shopping in Canada. How can you doubt it when Edmonton is the home of both Canada’s first mall (Westmount Centre) as well as West Edmonton Mall, reported to be the largest mall in the North America and one of the largest in the world. No wonder it is used as a testing ground for many American retailers for the Canadian market.
There are a number of other malls in Edmonton as well, many of which have undergone renovation within the past few years or are currently being updated. Besides malls, Edmonton is also home to power centres and big box shopping for those seeking deals. South Edmonton Common has the distinction of being North America’s biggest open air retail establishment.
If you don’t like that sort of atmosphere, Edmonton also boasts shopping districts that house a variety of independent retailers, which are a wonderful source for more unusual items, especially clothing. Old Strathcona is one such shopping area. Filled with historic buildings, the stores in the area offer some of the most unique shopping opportunities. And if you enjoy nightlife and clubs, this is a party district. The area abounds with restaurants and coffee shops, and is a rich theatre venue as well, if you want to enjoy a break from all that shopping.
There are a number of other malls in Edmonton as well, many of which have undergone renovation within the past few years or are currently being updated. Besides malls, Edmonton is also home to power centres and big box shopping for those seeking deals. South Edmonton Common has the distinction of being North America’s biggest open air retail establishment.
If you don’t like that sort of atmosphere, Edmonton also boasts shopping districts that house a variety of independent retailers, which are a wonderful source for more unusual items, especially clothing. Old Strathcona is one such shopping area. Filled with historic buildings, the stores in the area offer some of the most unique shopping opportunities. And if you enjoy nightlife and clubs, this is a party district. The area abounds with restaurants and coffee shops, and is a rich theatre venue as well, if you want to enjoy a break from all that shopping.
Thursday, October 20
Hiring a photographer
Hiring a photographer will usually take a bit of research to find a good fit, and get the best price without sacrificing quality. A good place to start is your local craigslist. If photographers in your area are using it to advertise, check to see if they have links to online galleries of their work. That would be a good starting place to see if you like their work.
Is it imaginative, does it flatter the people being photographed, does the photographer have good skills? You can usually cross a few off your list when you see their work side by side with others, and there will usually be another few whose work you really like that rise to the top of your wish list.
The next thing is to read over their printed information, and get a feel for how they do their business. Don’t be put completely off by prices at this time, but it is a factor. Choose the ones you think are most promising and contact them.
If a photographer has an open slot (especially if your event is coming up soon) and he wants to fill it, he may give you a better deal than he normally charges. Or if your event is on a weekday, you may get a price break.
There are other things you may be able to do to get a discount. Find out what the full service usually entails, and see if you can go without some of those things. Maybe the typical fee is for 4 hours, and you only need 3? Or maybe the photographer plans on being in 2 locations, and you only need one. Maybe he usually brings an assistant, and you can get by without it if your event is a simple one.
Even better, most of the time a photographer puts into their work is in the editing phase. And most of the expense comes from the printing process. So … if you are adept at editing your own photos, and if you don’t mind receiving the images digitally and printing them out yourself later, you may be able to get a huge break on this part of the photographer’s services.
Lastly, talk to your photographer on the phone before you commit. Make sure it’s someone you can get along with and work with. If not and there is tension between you and the photographer, you will never be able to get the best shots.
And be clear about what the expectations are as far as payment. Expect to pay the photographer at least part of what is owed before the work begins, often just to reserve the date. Hopefully you can make the final portion of the payment when you pick up your photos, or DVD, or whatever format you select for your final photos.
Is it imaginative, does it flatter the people being photographed, does the photographer have good skills? You can usually cross a few off your list when you see their work side by side with others, and there will usually be another few whose work you really like that rise to the top of your wish list.
The next thing is to read over their printed information, and get a feel for how they do their business. Don’t be put completely off by prices at this time, but it is a factor. Choose the ones you think are most promising and contact them.
If a photographer has an open slot (especially if your event is coming up soon) and he wants to fill it, he may give you a better deal than he normally charges. Or if your event is on a weekday, you may get a price break.
There are other things you may be able to do to get a discount. Find out what the full service usually entails, and see if you can go without some of those things. Maybe the typical fee is for 4 hours, and you only need 3? Or maybe the photographer plans on being in 2 locations, and you only need one. Maybe he usually brings an assistant, and you can get by without it if your event is a simple one.
Even better, most of the time a photographer puts into their work is in the editing phase. And most of the expense comes from the printing process. So … if you are adept at editing your own photos, and if you don’t mind receiving the images digitally and printing them out yourself later, you may be able to get a huge break on this part of the photographer’s services.
Lastly, talk to your photographer on the phone before you commit. Make sure it’s someone you can get along with and work with. If not and there is tension between you and the photographer, you will never be able to get the best shots.
And be clear about what the expectations are as far as payment. Expect to pay the photographer at least part of what is owed before the work begins, often just to reserve the date. Hopefully you can make the final portion of the payment when you pick up your photos, or DVD, or whatever format you select for your final photos.
Sunday, October 2
We're baaaaccckkkk!!!!
We're back at our post (pun intended), looking for unique gifts, giving our recommendations for quality products (and warning about the duds), looking for ways to save you money on everything from gifts, to clothing, to internet service, to groceries, along with everything else you buy. Shopping online, and shopping in stores, we're there to help you. Please feel free to send comments and questions if you have any tips, and we're happy to check them out and pass them on. If you have questions, by all means ask, and we'll do our best to answer them, or find the answer for you.
We hope to have something for everyone here, so welcome back!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)